The World War One Source Book By Philip J. Haythornthwaite

Airplanes were in a similar position as tanks - the technology was really too new and immature for effective combat use. At best, the airplane provided better observation and reconnaissance ability than previously available, but, in a static trench-warfare setting (with the commonly poor European weather), the amount of benefit this provided is easy to overstate. Tactical and strategic bombing was non-existent; the airplane would have to wait for the wars of

As aircraft evolved during the First World War, some of the best “Aces” were emerging in the sky. Captain Edward Rickenbacker and Lt Frank Luke Jr, both recipients of the Medal of Honor, made significant contributions to the American war effort. Although Lt Luke, the “Arizona Balloon Buster,” is commended for his valiant sacrifice, I believe Captain Rickenbacker made the more valuable contribution during World War 1, by exemplifying better leadership, professionalism, and intellectual power as an American air warrior. Lt Luke was an outstanding young ace pilot, but his arrogance and disobedient actions may have affected him malignantly during World War 1.

But, the aircrafts were eventually used for more than scouting ahead it later turned into a point of emphasis of where the war would take place. Using this source to support my thesis will help give a better understanding of what I will be writing about. I will be using this source to help the development of sub-points that I will be using in my research paper. The context of this source will help out on the claims and development of things I will discuss in my paper, and I will not use this document to disagree

     The name General Carl ‘Tooey’ Andrew Spaatz has become synonymous with the phrase air power and strategist. Air power has come along way since Wilbur and Orville launched the first airplane in 1902 in the city of Kitty Hawk. Famous engineers have taken the Wright-Brothers design and made great improvements to them while slowly integrating these new powerful means of transportation, weaponry and communication aids into the military. Since the onset of World War I there has been a debate on how to most effectively use these new airplanes in the Army’s collection. Most individuals believed that airplanes should be under control of the Army theater commander, while very

The 1920s was a decade of prosperity and prelude to the diverse introduction of new technologies. At the same time the automobile became popular, aircraft began to develop. Although during the World War II, aircraft is widely used to attack into enemy lines, prior to this, aircraft was used to deliver mail and compete for the distance it could fly without making any stop. One such aviator, Charles A. Lindbergh challenged to the first solo transatlantic flight and in a moment, he became one of the America’s most beloved hero.

The first flight occurred in 1903 when the Wright brothers famously took their airplane for a final test flight in December. In the years after this historic flight many people start to see the potential for airplanes in war, transportation, and shipping. Other builders disregarded previous doubt about flying and began to replicate the ideas of the Wright brothers in creating planes with three axes. In addition, the approach of WWI prompted military personnel to pursue uses of airplanes as a war machine. The airplane influenced many aspects of American culture after it’s invention including civilian life, war technology, and individual possibility.

Nestled in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is a small, wealthy and prestigious school. During this time, the early 1910s, World War I is starting and the United States does not want to get involved unless necessary. Air superiority has not become a major military factor. That is until a group of young prominent men known as the “Millionaires Unit” at Yale start a flying club due to their interest in aviation and patriotism to the United States.

In 1921, Admiral William A. Moffett established the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) with the help of Congress. Under the enthusiastic and energetic leadership of Admiral Moffett, naval aviation was institutionalized to provide the Untied States with preparation for World War II (Hagan and McMaster 191). The BuAer was a technological step forward into modern times. Not only did the BuAer establish a bureau that oversaw naval advancements and preparations for future wars, but it developed a sense of responsibility among naval aviators. As the BuAer expanded and became a vitally renowned function in the Untied States, technology, operations, budgets, and strategies all improved. In the novel In Peace and War, where interpretations of American Naval

In chapter eight of Sherry’s novel “The Rise of American Air Power.” Sherry writes about the obsession war generals had with air warfare during the 20th century. He brings up the time Roosevelt decided to use atomic bombs in World War II against Japan and how he wanted to drop these bombs over Japan by aircraft carrier. The technological aspect behind this mission is complicated and made Roosevelt ‘fantasize’ about becoming more advanced in technological warfare. However, some of these improvements left others up in arms, the use of telegraphs left war generals upset about how they were always being interrupted by their superiors during missions. Another advancement that led soldiers up in arms was the operational commands. Operational Commands were in charge of running the airways and pilots would always complain about how they would interfere air battles and cause a distraction. However, Operational Commands had their perks like the use of radar to detect any

The Aviation Branch of the U.S. Army, as we know it today, did not exist at the turn of the 1800 to 1900 centuries. The military did use a Balloon Corps and Detachment for the Civil and Spanish-American Wars respectfully. However, the Army deactivated both organizations after their usage in the campaigns. These artillery spotters and reconnoiters were helpful. However, the leadership did not see a usage for them outside of war. Therefore, it would take someone understanding the potential of air power to open a door for its peacetime usage. This occurred with the birth of the Signal Corps.

As war from the ground or the seas was not enough, war finally expanded to the air in the 20th century. These airplanes were finally introduced to warfare in the year 1911. Airplanes were first used for recon until finally weapons were added to them. Different countries competed to build the best most advanced airplanes. As the time for war came countries such as England and Germany designed fighter planes and bombers too. A couple of the airplanes that Germany managed to crank out for World War II were the ME-109 and the Stuka Bomb Diver. Meanwhile the British had the Spitfire Diver which was used by the Royal Air Force. These airplanes managed to cause major damage during war.

All round WWI, fighter planes were used as an aerial attack against the opposition. Through the period of 4 years major developments had occurred to improve fighter planes. With fighter planes in WWI the main influence was to gain knowledge about the land of the enemy and see main features of land such as the enemies trenches. The fighter planes were first introduced in the war on April 1st 1915 by the Germans, followed by the British and French. Pilots of these planes threw grenades, bricks and hooks from the aircraft, but failed to succeed in harming the enemy effectively. The ideal solution was a small and light machine gun to shoot from the aircraft. Although this

Towards the end of the War the airplane becomes a practical device of war being able to carry weapons. Anthony Fokker and Louis Bleriot create the most successful of early modern biplanes known as the D-VII and D-VIII. Biplanes are eventually taken over by the monoplane, or one wing. This new design allowed for faster flight and better visibility for the pilot. Air-cooled engines lead the way for commercial aircraft, and Boeing introduces the first modern airliner the 247. Airplanes are effected the greatest by supply and demand of war. New styles of war begun to emerge so did new and improved types of aircraft. The population of the U.S. also begun to grow which leads to the modern most sophisticated commercial airliner the 777. Most aircraft improvements are found in the military and intelligence field. The most high tech aircraft known today for such things as spying are the SR-71 Blackbird, and the U-2 Spy plane. The most complicated and best aircraft performance is still held by the space shuttle and probably always will be. The last 200 years have seen incredible changes in aircraft from the man with wings to heavier than air flying machines that can travel at supersonic speeds.

Summary At the outbreak of World War I, the primarily use of aircraft was as reconnaissance aircraft for surveying the battlefield and enemy supply routes. Soon, aviators began to take weapons aloft to shot back at those on the ground shooting at them and to fire on enemy aircraft. As the war progressed so did the rapid evolution of aircraft, each side developing aircraft that are more specialized, large bombs to assault the supply routes and command centers, improved reconnaissance aircraft, and the fighter. It was the fighter that Problem: Improve the accuracy of the guns mounted on fighter aircraft. The significance of the problem: To provide the best possible accuracy the machine gun.

Anthony Fokker, discuss his contributions to the development of aviation during and after World War One.